Canton Tower, Television tower in Chigang Subdistrict, China.
Canton Tower reaches 600 meters in height with steel supports that taper upward and are reinforced by horizontal rings. The construction forms a noticeably narrow waist in the middle section, giving it an unusual silhouette.
The tower began operations on September 29, 2010, and served as an important venue during the Asian Games in Guangzhou. Since then it has functioned as a television and observation tower for the entire region.
Dutch architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit conceived the tower as a geometric experiment with two rotating ellipses. Their design prevailed against several international architectural studios and brought an entirely new form to the city skyline.
Visitors reach different levels through slow panoramic elevators or fast enclosed elevators leading to restaurants and observation decks. On clear days the view extends far beyond the Pearl River estuary, while heavy smog can limit visibility.
The form emerges from two ellipses rotating against each other, creating a narrow constriction at 450 meters (1476 feet) above ground. This geometric construction gives the tower its characteristic appearance shared by no other tall building worldwide.
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